Kove and ZXMoto Will Enter 2027 Motocross World Championship
Two Chinese manufacturers plan to join the FIM Motocross World Championship series for the 2027 season.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Motocycles
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Kove and ZXMoto have officially announced plans to join the FIM Motocross World Championship in 2027. The move follows JHL's 2026 appearance as the first Chinese manufacturer to compete in the series.
Why it matters
The entry of multiple Chinese brands reflects a growing effort by the nation's motorcycle manufacturers to establish competitiveness on the global stage. Joining the FIM series marks a significant step in the international expansion of these companies.
ZXMoto plans to enter two 450cc machines in the 2027 series. This follows JHL's 2026 performance where riders finished 12th and 13th overall using 350cc bikes at the Shanghai round.
The players
Kove
Kove is a Chinese motorcycle manufacturer that has publicly committed to joining the FIM Motocross World Championship.
ZXMoto
ZXMoto is a manufacturer currently active in the FIM Supersport World Championship that is developing machinery for motocross competition.
JHL
JHL is a motorcycle brand that served as the first Chinese manufacturer to participate in the FIM Motocross World Championship at the 2026 China GP.
Brian Hsu
Brian Hsu is a professional rider who competed for the JHL team during the 2026 MXGP of China.
Yuzhang Li
Yuzhang Li is a professional rider who represented the JHL team at the 2026 MXGP of China.
The details
ZXMoto is currently conducting development work on its 450cc racing platform across facilities in China and Europe. The manufacturer brings experience from the FIM Supersport World Championship, where it has already secured race victories this season.
Timeline
August 2026: Kove announced its intent to join the championship.
September 2026: JHL competed in the MXGP of China.
2027: Kove and ZXMoto will officially contest the MXGP series.
Roadmap
The entry of these brands into the FIM Motocross World Championship signals a wider strategic pivot for Chinese motorcycle manufacturers toward high-level international racing. This move positions these companies to challenge established European and Japanese brands for market prestige and technical supremacy.
The presence of these new manufacturers may increase the variety of specialized racing hardware available to competitive riders. Enthusiasts can expect to see how these newly developed 450cc machines perform against industry-standard models on the world stage starting in 2027.
The takeaway
The entry of Kove and ZXMoto marks a significant turning point for the visibility of Chinese engineering in global motorsports. This expansion serves as a litmus test for whether these manufacturers can scale their domestic success to match the technical demands of the FIM series.
Further reading
For more on the latest developments in international bike racing, visit Motocycles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cycle News.
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